Art Deco Jewelry With a Modern Twist
Art Deco Jewelry With a Modern Twist
Art deco style
Cartier’s Snake necklace is an art deco style piece of jewelry with a modern twist. The snake motif is reminiscent of the animal kingdom, and was popularized by the flamboyant actress Maria Felix. Felix was a Cartier client who commissioned the versatile necklace. Felix then returned to Cartier with a small crocodile in a jar to wear with the necklace.
The Art Deco style was an era influenced by the Far East and India. For the fashion conscious, the “East” was a romantic place, which included China, India, Japan, and Persia. The use of color was also prominent in this era. Coral and other brilliant gemstones were combined with jade or lapis to create stunning pieces. The jewelry was meant to enhance light rather than impede it.
The Cartier family has a long history of incorporating elements from different regions into its designs. The founder of the company, Alfred Cartier, was a scholar of Oriental languages. His three grandsons, who were aesthetes and collectors, were interested in making cultural bridges.
The Art Deco movement was often linked to the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs, which was held in Paris in 1925. The 1920s also saw the emergence of rhombuses and geometric shapes. The designers at Cartier used these shapes to create jewelry that was atypical and innovative for the era. They also made it popular to wear tiaras that were low on the brow and long ear pendants.
Exoticism
Exoticism and snake necklaces are not a new concept for Cartier, but they have been around for a long time. In the 1920s and 1930s, Egyptian, Chinese, and Indian arts were all popular sources for inspiration. Several pieces from Cartier’s collection were inspired by the decorative arts of those cultures, including the Tutankhamen tomb. There is even a scarab-inspired faience buckle-brooch on display that once belonged to the actress and singer Cole Porter’s wife.
In 1975, Mexican actress Maria Felix commissioned a snake-shaped necklace from Cartier after seeing a snake in a jar. This necklace is made from platinum and gold, and features 2,473 baguette-cut diamonds and a reversible clasp. The snake necklace is so impressive that it took Cartier two years to make it.
Creating snake-inspired jewelry is a timeless and classic tradition for Cartier, and the snake motif is one of the most prominent themes in the brand’s history. The iconic brand is also known for its incredibly unique and one-of-a-kind creations. Exoticism is one of the most popular styles of jewelry at Cartier, and its influence can be seen in almost every piece of jewelry.
Though Louis Cartier died in 1942, the fine jewelry division was managed by Jeanne Toussaint, who led the company from 1933 to 1968. A three-dimensional diamond panther is shown at the end of the exhibition, seated on a cabochon sapphire ball. This panther was also worn by Wallis Simpson after her marriage to the duke of Windsor.
Maria Felix
The Maria Felix snake necklace is one of the most expensive pieces of jewelry ever made. It was named after the actress who brought a crocodile to a Cartier store and had it replicated in silver. Her obsession with exotic animals inspired many legends and stories about her love of jewelry. A crocodile necklace was pictured on her neck at Cannes in 2006.
The necklace depicts the famous artist and her love for snakes. Maria Felix was a close friend of Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Jean Cocteau, and Octavio Paz. The necklace also shows one of the artist’s pet crocodiles.
Maria Felix, also known as the Grand Dame, rose to fame in the 1943 film, “Dona Barbara”. She continued to star in nearly fifty films until her death in 1971. Throughout her career, she continued to expand her jewelry collection. She never appeared without a necklace or bracelet. Her alligator and snake necklaces were among her most iconic accessories.
Cartier’s creation of Maria Felix’s snake necklace is a unique example of an iconic piece of jewelry. The necklace was designed after a Mexican actress named Maria Felix brought a baby crocodile to a Paris boutique. She asked the designers to replicate the crocodile’s appearance and characteristics, and they created a necklace in her honor. The crocodile necklace can be worn as a brooch or as a necklace.
Crocodiles
Snake necklaces are not just for snakes, but for lovers of reptiles as well. A pair of crocodiles, each with a single claw, adorns a Cartier necklace. The pair may be worn separately or together, and the clawless paws don’t irritate the skin. Designed by Gabriel Raton, the necklace is the perfect accessory for a reptile lover.
Cartier first became known for its reptile-inspired jewelry when Mexican film star Maria Felix commissioned a jeweler to create a necklace inspired by a crocodile. When she shopped for the necklace, she brought two of her pet crocodiles to the Cartier boutique. The crocodiles stayed with the owner until the necklace was complete. However, the employees of Cartier feared the crocodiles were too large to be safe.
After the initial request, Felix contacted Cartier again in 1975. The second time, he asked the jewelry designer to design a jewel inspired by a live alligator. The result was a piece of jewelry that is still prized today. Among other famous customers of Cartier, Felix is known for her unique collection.
Cartier has produced many other items inspired by animals, including jewelry and watches. The company’s archives are rife with odes to various animals. In 2006, the company released its La Dona watch collection, a tribute to Maria Felix.
Double crocodile necklace
The Double Crocodile Necklace is a unique design by Cartier that depicts two crocodiles clasped together in front. The crocodiles are fully articulated, which gives the necklace the look of an actual crocodile. The designers at Cartier used interior frameworks to create the double crocodile’s slender body.
The pendant, which is made of 925 white gold, is shaped like two stylized crocodiles conjoined at one end. The crocodiles’ bodies are decorated with raised lines that allude to their scales. The crocodiles’ eyes are rosette-shaped with dots surrounding the pupil. The two loops on either side of the pendant would be used to hang the necklace from the neck.
The double crocodile necklace by Cartier has an interesting history. Originally, it was made by a young French taxidermist when he was just 14. He worked for a decade before he could start on his own. Nowadays, the artisans start their careers after studying in design schools.
In the early 1970s, Felix began buying cartier panthers and gradually progressed to placing special orders. This allowed him to become an influential client of the French brand, including the Duchess of Windsor. He was famous for his love of crocodiles, and his devotion to Cartier jewelry.
Diamond pendant shoulder brooch
Cartier’s famous diamond and emerald pendant shoulder brooch is a masterpiece of Art Deco design. Its form echoes the palm trees cast in doors by the famous French sculptor Armand Albert Rateau, who designed doors for the 1925 “Exposition des Arts Decoratifs.” Post commissioned Cartier New York to customize the brooch for her. The result is a dazzling necklace that’s as beautiful as it is unique.
The diamond pendant shoulder brooch is a very elegant way to complete any snake necklace. The design is very versatile. The diamond pendants can be worn as an earring, necklace or bracelet. For a more modern look, try a diamond pendant in silver or gold. It will look great on your neck and will add a modern touch to any outfit.
Besides the diamond pendant shoulder brooch, the necklace has a rich history. It was first ordered by Mexican actress Maria Felix in 1968. This piece of jewelry is unique in design and took thousands of hours to craft. It is studded with 2,473 diamonds. You can find a similar piece in the Museum of Natural History.
The Cartier collection is renowned for its craftsmanship and elegance. Its high-end collections feature exquisite pieces that have never been displayed before. The illustrious owners of these pieces can be found at the museum. The Duchess of Windsor’s diamond-encrusted Flamingo brooch, and the late actress Grace Kelly’s diamond-encrusted engagement ring were among the many pieces on display.
Art Deco Jewelry With a Modern Twist
